Marielle Thompson looks on course to secure the Women's Ski Cross World Cup title ©Getty Images

Reigning Olympic champion Marielle Thompson topped the qualification round today at the International Ski Federation (FIS) Ski Cross World Cup as she looks to secure the Crystal Globe.

The Canadian entered the fray at the Russian resort of Sunny Valley with a 135 point lead over Sweden’s Sandra Naeslund and showed signs she will bag the women’s title when the main race takes place tomorrow.

Naeslund was not far behind the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic gold medallist and qualified in third place, with Sami Kennedy-Sim of Australia coming second.

In the men’s competition, current leader Jean-Frederic Chapuis also progressed to tomorrow’s race as he looks to bag the Crystal Globe.

However, the Sochi 2014 champion path was not as smooth as Thompson’s as he came ninth in the qualification round.

Jean-Frederic Chapuis is also still in line to win another Crystal Globe ©Getty Images
Jean-Frederic Chapuis is also still in line to win another Crystal Globe ©Getty Images

Canada’s Christopher Delbosco finished first in qualifying with Frenchmen Bastien Midol and Francois Place coming second and third respectively.

Brady Leman, currently 143 points behind Chapuis in the ski cross standings, progressed to tomorrow’s racing in sixth place.

Other FIS Freestyle World Cup stages are also being held tomorrow.

Thaiwoo in China will host competition in the moguls discipline while Belarus’ capital city Minsk will be the venue for the aerials world cup.